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Saturday, August 08, 2009

Book Review: Julie & Julia

I know, I know, another book review. Actually, a combination book/movie review. I thought I had posted a review of Julie & Julia, My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. I had picked this title for my book club to read this past winter when it was my turn to choose. I did a search of my blog and can not see a post reviewing this title. Maybe I decided against it because I was the only one in my book club that liked it. I really enjoyed it, too! Nobody else did.

As most of you know, I love to cook. You may not know that when I was staying home with the boys before I went back to work as they entered school, I baked from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Oh my gosh, the messes I made! I had never created such time consuming meals in my life! I had never used so much butter and cream in my life, either. I couldn't get used to all of the fat, all of the skin that I was frying, the bacon, the eggs. I haven't used so much butter since then until I found The Cake Slice!

Anyhow, Julie & Julia is about a woman who is just about to turn 30. She and her husband have just moved to a different area of town and she is unsure what to do in her spare time. She loves to eat, she loves to cook. Bingo! She decides to cook every recipe from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Every recipe! 500 some recipes. She sets a goal that she will complete this endeavor in the span of one year, as she is cooking to her hearts delight she will be blogging all about it.

I enjoyed reading how Julie became absolutely consumed with cooking through Julia's book. She became obsessed. I know that feeling! I loved reading about each and every task she put herself through.

When I heard that Julie & Julia was going to become a movie I was wondering how the movie producers would fill 2.5 hours with Julie's story. Then I learned how: they were going to combine Julie & Julia with Julia Child's My Life in Paris. Of course I had to run out and read this title as well and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous. I learned so much about Julia Child that I never knew.

When I learned Meryl Streep was going to play Julia I wasn't so sure..I didn't think she could pull it off. Was I ever wrong!

I went to the movie last night and I just adored it! It is a feel-good film, a movie that held my attention from beginning to end. I enjoyed the way they combined the two books, how we went from Julie Powell's life to Julia Child's life. I think I enjoyed Julia Child's portion of the movie more than JP. Meryl Streep played Julia perfectly. There was one time during the film when I caught myself, and realized I was not watching JC. I was watching an actress portray her. Amazing.

I loved that JC didn't go to cooking school until she was in her 40s, that she was the only woman, that she was put down and then worked harder than all of the men and became a better chef than they. She was a pioneer for women to become excellent chefs.

When the film was finished the other 15 or so who were in the room with me stood up and clapped. I haven't seen that in a long time. I had tears running down my cheeks, I enjoyed the film so much.

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About Me

12 years ago in the haze of a hangover I read Oprah's Make The Connection. It changed my life. I lost the fat, I put down the booze, began eating in a healthy manner, began to walk, then run. Run On! I first began running marathons. Liked it so much I found some crazy ultra runners in MN who showed me the trail and ultramarathons. 39 marathons and 40+ ultra marathons later ( 15 100 mile ultramarathons in the past 5 years) I am sober, lean and happy. I am now inspiring others to run, as Oprah inspired me. Coaching beginning runners is a gift I like to give every day. It's not just about running..it's about all that comes with it: goal setting, empowerment, a belief in oneself, being true to oneself. 2007 brought 4 100 mile finishes, 2008 brought 4 100 mile finishes, a BQ and PR at TCM, a PR at the 100 mile trail distace at Javelina Jundred: 23:13. 2009 brought another PR at the 100 mile distance! Amazing. Lean Horse 100, a dream come true. What holds for 2010? WHO KNOWS?? NOT I! Wow. It's 2013 NOW!